Listen to Patty Griffin’s New Album ‘American Kid’

It’s been six years since folk singer and songwriter Patty Griffin last released an album of mostly original material. She returns with a wallop on “American Kid,” which Speakeasy premieres today in its entirety.

Most of the 12 songs on the album are about her father, a World War II veteran who returned home to live for a time in a Trappist monastery before becoming a high school science teacher and raising seven children.

“The bulk of the record was written at a time where I knew my father was passing away,” Griffin says in a video explaining the album.

She recorded “American Kid” in Memphis with Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. She got to know the brothers when their group opened some shows while Griffin was touring as part of Band of Joy with Robert Plant, who contributed vocals to three songs: “Ohio,” “Faithful Son” and “Highway Song.

“Robert and I started working on things together, and coming up with things on stage,” Griffin says.

“American Kid” is due May 7 on New West Records. Griffin has a handful of tour dates scheduled in the United States in late May and early June before heading to Britain in July.

What do you think of “American Kid?” Leave your thoughts in the comments.